Olympic football gets underway with GB win

Team GB have won the first event of London 2012, with the women's football squad gaining a 1-0 victory over New Zealand.

The football competition has started before the official opening ceremony in order for there to be enough time to fit in all the matches.

Held at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, the result is set to boost moral across the Great British Olympic squad as well as showcasing the sport.

Team GB women's football captain Casey Stoney said: "It's fantastic that we're opening the Games. It is going to hopefully raise the profile of women's football."

She added that hopefully the large-scale coverage of the event and the sport will help encourage more girls to consider becoming involved in the game.

"It's a global thing, it's not just for our nation, it's worldwide. So hopefully if we can put on a good show… many, many young girls watching will go out and pick up a ball and start playing football."

After the win team coach Hope Powell said: "We were the first women's GB team ever and we won. That will never change now.

"We wanted to enjoy the experience. We recognised it was the first event and that it was an opportunity for the girls to showcase their talent."

The men's squad will play their first match today at Old Trafford against Senegal. The team will be led by captain Ryan Giggs.

On August 11th at Wembley Stadium, the final of the men's competition will take place and will be watched by thousands including those staying at central London hotels.

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